Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s return to Anfield as Aston Villa manager ended in a 1-0 defeat.
Here the PA news agency takes a look at how his afternoon went.
Reception
Steven Gerrard back at his old stomping ground ❤️#LIVAVL pic.twitter.com/95YM0E3Ad6
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 11, 2021
His Villa team may have been booed as they left the tunnel but a roar went up when Gerrard emerged behind them. Gerrard offered a little wave to the Kop and then appeared to be looking for people he knew in the main stand behind him. It took eight minutes for the Kop to break into their ‘Steve Gerrard’ chant but it was quickly drowned out by shouts of ‘Liverpool, Liverpool’. He received another rendition at the final whistle but he was in no mood for hanging around to accept the adulation.
Tactics
Steven Gerrard makes his third and final substitution…
? 1-0 ⚪ [74′] #LIVAVL pic.twitter.com/JkrcCh6bQP
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 11, 2021
For over an hour the plan appeared to be based upon keeping Liverpool at bay by any means necessary and while the hosts created a number of chances, that strategy appeared to be working. However, with the emphasis on defence when they did get the ball it was often lumped forward aimlessly to no-one in particular. Gerrard’s side came to life after going behind when he switched to a 4-4-2 by sending on former Reds striker Danny Ings to partner Ollie Watkins and it caused Liverpool plenty of problems for the final 16 minutes.
Presence
